[World News] China launches third Dongdiao-class intelligence vessel

China's People's Liberation Army Navy (PLAN) launched its third Dongdiao-class (Type 815) intelligence collection/missile range instrumentation ship at the Hudong Zhonghua Shipbuilding Group's yard in Shanghai on 29 March.

The 130 m vessel was photographed without the complete set of three radomes found on the superstructures of the first two ships. Little information is available on the radome capabilities, but material supplied to IHS Jane's by the shipyard described them as "high-technology radio signal gathering and processing equipment".

According to IHS Jane's Fighting Ships, the 6,000 tonne vessel is armed with one manually operated 37 mm and two dual 14.5 mm cannons. It is powered by two SEMT-Pielstick diesel engines and can attain a top speed of 20 kt.

The other two Dongdiao-class vessels, Beijixing (pennant number 851) and Tianwangxing (853), are deployed with the East Sea and South Sea fleets, respectively.

  ★ Janes